It seems as if we went from a wet, wet spring to a warm, warm August in just a heartbeat. These past few months have flown by and have been full of activities as usual for this time of year. So far this year, our OLE Church Planters churches have attended our annual Hispanic Family Camp, at beautiful Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast, participated in the Hispanic National Christian Convention (HNCC) in Clovis, CA, held VBS programs, and now our final "summer event" wlll happen this coming Sunday at Silver Creek Falls State Park.
This event is highly popular and we always have a great group of churches represented, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to witness to other park visitors through the outdoors worship service. The park is very popular during warm weather, and we are situated near the swimming area that attracts so many families, many of them Spanish speakers. The worship service is followed by a potluck/BBQ meal and we have many friends and families of church members present as well. Every church will participate in some way during the worship service. It is a great time of fellowship, so feel free to stop by (Aug 12, 10 a.m.)!
Please continue to pray for our missionaries to Oaxaca, Mexico. Brent and Martha Trent, sent out from the Salem area Hispanic church. They have recently "updated" their commitment to the ministry there. They are extending the length of time they will continue their outreach. They originally planned on working for two years, then returning to the States. However, there is much more work that they wish to accomplish in their area before they come "home."
Besides my "normal" mission directing responsibilities, I have been eyeball-deep in the Salem Hispanic church, "Iglesia de Cristo, Ciudad de Paz" (City of Peace) for just over a year now. Pastoring there has been a tremendous blessing to us as we see the congregation continue to grow, to see disciples seeking to lead out and evangelism being done. We have established a training program for church members seeking to further their knowledge of the Word and also to help facilitate future potential leaders as they step forward.
We would ask that you continue to uplift the ministry of OLE Church Planters in prayer, and also financially. The battle is won on our knees, and to that end, we have also started a prayer and fasting ministry within the Hispanic congregation in the Salem church. However, our financial resources are short in every area, including within the local churches and the OLE Church Planters general fund, out of which we pay for our church planter's salary. We have very little overhead or administrative cost, so 98% of every dime given to our GF goes directly to the church planting effort.
Thank you for your faithful partnership with us in this greatly needed outreach to our resident Spanish speaking population!
